2016 Paris Adventures: Mom, Cousin, and Pride

At the end of March, my mother, a French teacher in Wisconsin, came to France with ten lovely students on their bi-annual high school French trip. The students spent one week with a French host family in Tours, and then got to spend a few days together touring Paris at the end of the trip during their spring break. This way my mother’s second trip with students; I was also able to chaperone the first trip at the end of my assistant contract in 2014.

As always, I had a wonderful time showing some wonderful American teens around Paris. I also got in some much needed Mom-time; I’m hoping that will hold me over until Christmas.

Our four days were packed– Montmartre, the Eiffel Tower, Le Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, le Centre Pompidou, Les Bateaux Mouches, Les Invalides, and a Sandeman’s Free Walking Tour, amongst other things. And despite a torrential downpour and two pick pockets, everyone was super positive and had a great time. I also got to visit some old friends, including former lecteur colleague, Joe, whom is a French teacher in Minnesota and was also in Paris with a student group, and two British friends (also lecteurs) whom I frequently visit in London.

A view from the second story of the Eiffel Tower

Joe and me had a quick breakfast in Paris

Saint Chapelle is my favorite cathedral in Paris

Believe it or not, after all my years in Paris, this was my first time visiting the Shakespeare and Company Book Store. Definitely check it out!

Perhaps the best sunset picture I have ever taken– from inside Le Louvre

A sweet view of Paris from the Musée d’Orsay

May 2016

Towards the end of May, I went back for two fun-filled days with my cousin, Rita who came to visit me. (Thanks Laura for hosting us!)

We went to Montmartre as well, and stopped in for a drink at La REcyclerie, an awesome local spot where everything is recycled. I highly recommend the smoothies! We also stumbled across this amazing cereal bar!

As Rita was an art major, of course we check out Le Louvre! We saw the new “artistic touch” on the pyramid as well.

While Rita meandered through Le Louvre, I headed next door to the Musée des Arts Decoratifs to check out the Barbie exhibition, the first of its kind to reach a French museum. I was an avid Barbie fan as a child, so I enthusiastically paid the 11€ entry fee (although I am so excited to get a Pass Education this upcoming year!) The Barbie exhibit was super interesting and I highly recommend it to anyone. It basically goes through the entire history and development of Barbie. Her body figure has changed considerably since the 1950’s according to what society deemed most attractive at the time. Barbie was strictly white for awhile, but in the era of the Civil Rights Movement, her skin tone changed and became more diverse. Barbie was also the first doll of its kind to resemble a grown woman instead of a baby or a child–quite initially controversial due to Barbie’s breasts! (The horror!) What I found most interesting is that Barbie is actually a huge feminist icon– she showed girls that they could be whatever they wanted to be– Barbie had hundreds upon hundreds of occupations and was super independent. Her companion Ken was reluctantly created a few decades in, and he was nothing more that that– an accessory to Barbie. You were able to see hundreds upon hundreds of outfits and accessories and different Barbies on display. The exhibition is there until September- be sure not to miss it!

We took advantage of amazing weather to see the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame.

One evening, my friend Laith took us out in the Marais area, but I also dragged him and my cousin to Rue Crémieux, Paris’s most famous street on Instagram. It’s funny to see such colorful buildings in the middle of Paris.

July 2016

My most recent trek to Paris was this past weekend for Paris Pride! I went with a few friends of mine and the ambiance was awesome. I had a great time watching the parade; I highly recommend Pride if you haven’t gone before!

Democrats Abroad marched for Orlando

I’m not sure when I’ll get back to Paris next, but I’m always so grateful to get the chance to go, and to have such great people to see each time I make a visit.